Sand riddle



July 16, 1929.

G. B. PICKOP SAND RIDDLE Filed June 25, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 16, 1929- s. B. PICKOP 1.720.688

SAND RIDDLE 4 Filed June 25. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnoentoz Patented July 16, 1929.

*UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. PICKOP, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE MALLEABLE IRON FITTINGS COMPANY, OF

BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT.

SAND RIDDLE.

Application filed June 25,

My invention relates to sand riddles and more particularly to a frame adapted to operatively support a riddle in a suspended position and provided with means by which the riddle may be shaken to sift the sand or material to be treated. While my device may be found advantageous in connection with the work of molders, its use is not limited to this industry, but, on the contrary, it may be used wherever it is desired to sift sand or similar material.

In the past it has been necessary for an operator to shovel a few shovelfuls of sand into a riddle, lay down his shovel, pick up the riddle, sift the sand manually and throw out the refuse. He then must lay down the riddle and again shovel sand thereinto to repeat the operation. This is necessarily a slow process and power-operated riddles have, therefore, been devised. The majority of such riddles, however, have the disadvantage of the power means to shake the riddle, being mounted either above the riddle where it will interfere with the shovelling of sand into the same or below the riddle where the sifted sand will fall upon this mechanism, which will result in the power device being filled with dirt and the efficiency of its operation interfered with. Moreover, the means by which the riddle is suspended usually consists of a frame which surrounds the riddle and overhangs the same so as to interfere with the shovelling in of the sand.

One object of my invention, therefore, is to overcome the disadvantages above referred to, and to provide a riddle supporting frame which will carry the riddle in such a position that free access is gained thereto to fill the same with sand, and the operating parts are located without the path of the sifted sand falling from the riddle.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a riddle supporting frame, wherein the riddle will be supported upon a single frame member, so that it projects laterally from one side of this member and there is no interference with the shovelling of the sand thereinto.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a riddle supporting frame which will be suspended from a single point and will support the riddle entirely without a vertical line drawn through this point of support.

Still another object of my invention is to porting frame upon 1921. Serial No. 480,382.

provide a riddle supporting frame having a freely suspended supporting member carrying the riddle at one side thereof and having the operating mechanism at the other side thereof, so that the latter will serve as a counterbalance for the former to maintain the riddle in substantially horizontal position at all times during the sifting operation.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, the riddle being shown diagrammatically in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of my device;

Fig. 4 is a side-view of the same, some parts being shown in section along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4.

To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, I have shown ariddle supwhich a riddle is adapted to be detachably supported so that its removal or partial removal for the purpose of throwing out the refuse may be easily accomplished. Also my device is arranged so that it may be adjusted to receive and support riddles of various sizes. In some aspects of the invention, however, these features may not be important, as the riddle may be permanently secured to or made with the frame, if desired. Moreover, while I have shown a device in which the entire supporting frame is adapted to be vibrated or shaken with the riddle, this may be varied in certain respects, so that the riddle is shaken relatively to the frame. I

The riddle support consists of a main supporting member or frame 10, which is shown suspended at 11 from a single point and which is adapted to carry the operating parts of the mechanism, and to support the riddle 12 in a laterally projecting position, so that the latter will lie substantially entirely without a vertical line drawn through the point of support 11.

The riddle is supported upon a grid or fork 13 consisting of the two diverging arms 14, which have the turned riddle retaining ends 15, and a pair of substantiall parallel members 16 extending toward the frame member 10 and provided with serrations 17 for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. The frame 10 is provided with a somewhat broadened lower portion, as shown at 18, againstthe lower face of which the two members 16 are adapted to be secured. In order to secure the grid or fork rigidly in any desired adjusted position, a clamping yoke member 19 is provided through which the members 16 are adapted to be passed and which is provided with serrations 20 upon its upper face to cooperatewith the serrations 17 upon the members 16. A screw or bolt 21 is adapted to be passed through this yoke between the members 16 to clamp it upon the member 10. The two members 16 are adapted to embrace a narrower portion 22 of'the member 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

t is obvious that in this manner an efficient three-point support is provided for the riddle, the latter being supported upon the outer portions of the arms 14 and upon the members 16 adjacent the supporting frame member 10. Moreover, by loosening the belt or screw 21, the fork or grid may be adjusted toward or from the sup )orted frame 10 so as to accommodatedi' erent sizes of riddles. It will also be apparent that the frame-work below the riddle which would interfere with the dropping of the sand therefrom or which might be encumberedwith the falling sand is practically negligiblefand that there are no parts of the frame-work mounted above the riddle so as to interfere with the shovelling of the sand thereinto. l

The operating mechanism is mounted upon the supporting frame and while changes may bemade in the location of this mechanism, if desired, it is prefcrred'to mount it upon the side of the frame 10 opposite the grid 13. This provides for the counterbalancing of the grid and riddle by the operating mechanism relative to the single point of support '11.

In the preferred'form shown, the operating mechanism eonsists of a vibrator 23 which is constructed similarly to that shown in my prior Patent No. 1,336,921, granted April 13, 1920. While it will not be necessary to describe the vibrator in detail, it may be stated that it consists of a frame or casing 24 in which a reciprocating piston or plunger 25 is mounted to be operated by compressed air. delivered thereto through the connection 26. Suitable passages designated generally by the numeral 27 are provided to conduct the motive fluid, first to onesidc of the plunger and then to the other, and also to exhaust the same from the cylinder after it has been used, so that the piston is kept in constant vibration or reciprocation during the period while the poweris supplied thereto. A spring 28 is shown in one end of the cylinder which will normally overcome the friction of the piston and keep the latter at one end of the cylinder when not in operation, so thatit will not have a tendencyto stop upon dead center. The vibrator casing 24 is provided with an extended end or lug 29, which is secured to the rear portion of the frame member 10 by a bolt 30. The flattened portion of the casing is adapted to abut against a flattened portion 31 on the frame member 10 to prevent any tendency of the vibrator to swing pivotally about the bolt 30.

A suitable controlling valve 32 is mounted upon the frame in a position to be conveniently accessible for the operator. This valve may be of the plunger type, (as shown), although any suitable controlling means may be provided, and the valve plunger 33 is adapted to be depressed so as to open the valve by a lever 34. When the lever is released,,the valve is adapted to be returned to its closed position by a spring (not shown) in a. usual and well-known manner. To one end of the lever 34 are connected a pair of links 35, which are adapted to embrace the supply pipe 36 and the frame member 10, and pivotally connected at 37 to a manually operable member 38. The lower portion of this member is cam-shaped, as shown at 39, and is adapted to be rceeived in a recess 40 in the forward face of the frame member 10, so that when the mem vber 38 is rotated about the pivot 37, the

links 35 will be moved longitudinally to operate the lever 34 to depress the valve. The member 38 maybe provided at its upper free end with a projection 41, which serves to space this member from the adjacent surface of the frame member 10 in or der that the operator may easily grasp the same with his fingers. This member is also provided with a shoulder portion 42, adapted to be received in a correspondingly shaped portion 43 of the recess 40, so that when the member 38 is moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4 to open the valve, it will not he accidentally displaced and returned to its original position and thus permit the valve to close.

The operation of my device is as follows: lVith-the, supporting frame suspended, as shown in Fig. 1, and the sand riddle 12 in place, the operator shovels a sufficient quan tity of sand to be sifted into the riddle. The control member 38 is then swung about in the recess 40, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, to depress the valve plunger 33, and set the vibrator into operation. The riddle is then vigorously shaken so that the sand is quickly and efficiently sifted. When the riddle is practically emptied, the weight of the vibrator will tilt the same to a slightly inclined position, so that the refusewill have a'tend' ency to remain at the side of the riddle adjaloo cent the supporting frame 10. The main portion of the riddle is thereby unobstructed and more sand may be shovelled into the same for a further operation. When it is desired to empty out the refuse, the riddle may be removed from the frame without difficulty, as the shape of the grid and retaining members 15 permit its removal without loosening the bolt 21. The riddle may then be placed again in position and the operation continued until the desired amount of sifted material is obtained.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is not to be limited thereto in all of its details, but is capable of many variations and modifications, which will lie within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A riddle frame comprising a single pendant vertically disposed supporting arm, means securing a riddle rigidly against one side of said arm, and means mounted upon the arm to shake the riddle when so supported.

2. A riddle frame comprising a vertically disposed movable mounted supporting member, and a grid for operatively supporting a riddle, said grid being adjustably secured to the member, and means on the grid to clamp the riddle against the supporting member.

3. A riddle frame comprising a substantially vertically disposed support and riddle carrying means adjustably secured thereto adjacent the lower end thereof, a riddle supported on said means, and means on said support for shaking the riddle.

4. A riddle frame comprising an operatively supported rigid frame member, means rigidly carried thereby and projecting laterally therefrom at one side thereof upon which a riddle is supported and means secured at another side thereof to shake the riddle.

5. An L-shaped riddle supporting frame comprising a vertically disposed arm and a horizontally disposed arm rigidly secured together, and means for securing a riddle in the angle of the L.

6. A riddle frame comprising a movably mounted pendant supporting member, a grid carried thereby to rigidly support a riddle at one side thereof and means mounted upon another side of said member to shake the frame and thereby shake the riddle.

7. A freely suspended riddle frame member, means rigidly carried thereon to support a riddle without a vertical line drawn through the point of support, said riddle being supported immovably relatively to said frame member, and means to shake said frame member to sift material in the riddle.

8. A freely suspended riddle frame comprising a vertically disposed member and riddle carrying means rigidly secured thereto and projecting laterally at one side thereof, and common means at the other. side of said member for counterbalancing and shaking said riddle.

9. A riddleframe including a single vertically disposed freely swinging rigid supporting member having power means to operate the riddlerigidly secured thereto.

10. A riddle carrying frame, including a rigid vertically disposed frame member, and means for securing a riddle firmly thereto, and a fluid operated vibrator mounted upon the vertical member to shake the frame and riddle.

11. A freely suspended riddle carrying frame, including a vertically disposed frame member, a riddle immovably secured thereto in horizontal position, a casing connected to the frame, and a reciprocable plunger mounted in the casing, for the purpose described.

12. A vertically disposed riddle supporting frame member having a horizontally extending riddle carrying grid adjustably secured thereto.

13. A riddle frame comprising a suspended vertically disposed support-ing member carrying a riddle and a rapping device, and means mounted on said member to control said device.

14. A riddle frame comprising a suspended vertically disposed supporting mem ber having a riddle supporting member rigidly secured thereto and a fluid operated power device and a fluid controlling valve mounted on said member to control the operation of said power device.

15. An L-shaped riddle supporting frame comprising a substantially vertically disposed member and a supporting grid extending laterally therefrom, and means at the outer portion of the grid to retain a riddle against the frame member.

16. An L-shaped riddle supporting frame comprising a substantially vertically disposed member and a supporting grid extending laterall therefrom, means at the outer portion of the grid to retain a riddle against the frame member and a rapping mechanism mounted on the frame member.

17. An L-shaped riddle supporting frame comprising a substantially vertically disposed member and a supporting grid extending laterally therefrom, and means at the outer portion of the grid to retain a riddle against the frame member, said grid being adjustably secured to the frame member to mount riddles of various sizes.

18. A riddle supporting frame comprising a substantially vertically disposed frame member, a grid, means to secure the grid adjustably to the frame member at substantially right angles thereto, and means on the Y ll) grid to retain a riddle against the frame member.

19. An L-shaped riddle supporting frame, a riddle supported on one arm of the frame, and means on said arm to retain the riddle against the other arm.

20. In a riddle device, a vertically extending frame member, a horizontally extending riddle carrying member adjustably secured adjacent one end thereof to the lower end of the vertically disposed member, and a vibrating device carried by said vertically disposed member and designed to shake both said members and thereby shake the riddle, and controlling means for said vibrating device mounted on said vertically disposed member.

2]. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a suspended vertically disposed supporting member having means for supporting an object to bevibrated, a rapping device on said supporting member, and means to furnish power to said device.

22. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a vertically disposed supporting member, means for suspending said member, means for connecting said member to a device to be vibrated, and a fluid operated vibrator mounted on said member to shake it and the object.

23.- An apparatus of the character described, comprising a substantially vertically disposed supporting member, means secured thereto and adapted to support an object to be vibrated, and means on said sup porting member for shaking the object.

24:. A freely suspended supporting frame, including a vertically disposed member, means for supporting from said member an object to be vibrated, said member carrying a casing, and a reciprocable plunger mounted in the casing to vibrate saidmemher and the objectsupported thereby. A

25. A leg for a hook mechanism of the character described including, a trunk, a removable hook-end on said trunk, and a vibrator secured to said trunk. V

26. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a hook mechanism having a part thereof for engaging an object, an upper supporting structure, and means mounted upon said part for creating vibrations therein.

27. In an'a'pparatus of the character'described, a pendant supporting member having means to detachably embrace part of an object to be vibrated and having an upper supporting structure, and means mounted upon said member for creating vibrations therein. T

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of June, 1921.-

GEORGE PICKOP. 

